Serial Groom

# When "Sweet Fate" Is Just Foolishness Across the Street

Pull up a rocking chair and let me pour you a cold glass of sweet tea, because today we need to talk about modern dating and that quiet little voice in your gut that knows better than your heart does. Dating in your thirties after a painful divorce is hard enough on a good day, especially when an ex moves on faster than a grease fire. But a dear friend of mine dusted herself off and decided to try her hand at the dating scene, hopping online because, well... that’s just how folks do it these days.

## The View From the Window

She waded through a few frogs before she found one who actually sounded interesting. In fact, he sounded downright perfect—which, as any woman with an ounce of sense knows, should’ve been her very first clue.

They talked for a while, and life kept moving right along. Being a single mama now, she had to change jobs and managed to land herself a good-paying position right downtown. As they kept up their chatting, they realized they were both working downtown. She asked him which building he was in, and wouldn't you know it? He was sitting right across the street. She asked what floor he was on, walked on over to that side of her building, and could look directly into his office. Now, she thought to herself, this has just got to be sweet fate.

Wrong. That wasn't fate... that was the universe showing off its wicked sense of humor.

## Trusting That Quiet Little Feeling

She finally gave in and went out on a date with him. Things went well—so well she was actually starting to fall for the man. But then that quiet little feeling kicked in. Something just felt off.

So, she started digging. And what do you know? He was married. With a brand-new baby sitting at home.

Heifer, please.

She put a screeching halt to the romantic side of things right then and there. He begged to stay friends, and she agreed. Within a couple of years, she started dating somebody else and moved right on with her life.

## Round Two with a Serial Groom

Eventually, though, this fellow popped back up in her life. He’d gotten a divorce and wanted to meet up. She was reluctant—Lord knows she had good reason to be—but she finally agreed. And sure enough, the whole cycle started spinning again, right along with that same nagging feeling in her gut.

And guess what? Yep, you already know how this story goes. She checked, and the man was newly married again... with another brand-new baby!

Well, that did it. She didn't even bother wasting her breath on a confrontation this time around. She just ghosted him right out of her life. She moved on for good, and he trotted right along to his next wife and his next divorce—just a full-on serial groom who couldn't keep it in his pants.

## Porch Wisdom for the Soul

Listen, honey... when your gut tells you something isn't right, you pay attention to it every single time. Protect your peace, step away from the foolishness, and don't spend your sweet life entertaining a man who makes a habit out of drama.

— Ms. Emsley